Fluid absorbent surgical device for cannulas

Abstract

A surgical instrument that absorbs fluid material on surfaces of a trocar is provided. The surgical instrument comprises a handle having at least two ends and an absorbent area at a first end of the handle. The absorbent area comprises a plurality of absorbent discs and a plurality of spacers.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for absorbing fluid material on surfaces of a cannula, comprising:
 a cannula; and 
 a surgical instrument inserted through the cannula, the surgical instrument comprising:
 a handle having at least two ends; and 
 an absorbent area at a first end of the handle, wherein the absorbent area comprises a plurality of absorbent discs and a plurality of non-absorbent spacers, wherein the plurality of absorbent discs and the plurality of non-absorbent spacers comprise approximately equivalent diameters, wherein the plurality of absorbent discs and the plurality of non-absorbent spacers are approximately equivalent in longitudinal thickness along the axis defined by the handle, and wherein each of the plurality of absorbent discs is separated by at least one of the plurality of non-absorbent spacers. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cannula is used to insert an endoscope into a body cavity. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the handle comprises a round end cap. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 3 , wherein the absorbent area at the first end of the handle further comprises a non-absorbent disc positioned between the round end cap and one of the plurality of absorbent discs. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 4 , wherein the non-absorbent disc comprises a larger diameter and a smaller thickness than the plurality of absorbent discs and the plurality of spacers. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the non-absorbent disc shields the one of the plurality of absorbent discs as the surgical instrument is inserted into the cannula and exposes the one of the plurality of absorbent discs as the surgical instrument is removed from the cannula thereby allowing the one of the plurality of absorbent discs to collect remaining fluid material as the surgical instrument is removed from the cannula. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the handle further comprises a wedge to indicate an optimal distance for inserting the first end of the handle of the cleaning instrument through an outer valve of the cannula so that at least some of the absorbent area at the first end of the handle remains in the cannula when the wedge engages the outer valve. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of non-absorbent spacers is a non-absorbent disc. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 3 , wherein the round end cap comprises an outer diameter approximately equivalent to the outer diameter of the plurality of absorbent discs and the outer diameter of the plurality of non-absorbent spacers. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the wedge is made of an absorbent material. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a third disc positioned on an outer portion of the absorbent area, wherein the third disc comprises an outside diameter greater than the outside diameter of the plurality of absorbent discs and the outer diameter of the plurality of non-absorbent spacers. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the third disc comprises a longitudinal thickness enabling the third disc to flex around at least part of a first absorbent disc of the plurality of absorbent discs. 
     
     
       13. A system for absorbing fluid material on surfaces of a cannula, comprising:
 a cannula; and 
 a surgical instrument inserted through the cannula, the surgical instrument comprising:
 a handle having at least two ends; and 
 an absorbent area at a first end of the handle, wherein the absorbent area comprises a plurality of absorbent discs and a plurality of non-absorbent spacers, wherein the plurality of absorbent discs and the plurality of non-absorbent spacers approximate an inner diameter of the cannula, wherein the plurality of absorbent discs and the plurality of non-absorbent spacers are approximately equivalent in longitudinal thickness along the axis defined by the handle, and wherein each of the plurality of absorbent discs is separated by at least one of the plurality of non-absorbent spacers. 
 
 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of absorbent discs is one of sterile cotton discs or foam discs. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the foam discs are made of polyvinyl acetyl foam. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 13 , wherein when the absorbent area is inserted inside the cannula, the absorbent area absorbs fluid along the inner wall of the cannula.